“If you are silent on this matter, you are helping choke the First Amendment’s ability to breathe. And be warned, the less it breathes for us in the media, the less it breathes for us as a society of people of color.” This quote was spoken by journalist Reginald Stuart when he accepted the Ida B. Wells Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. He was advocating for the abolishment of unpaid internships.

Stuart’s argument was that unpaid positions make it more difficult for people without economic privilege to get professional opportunities. I couldn’t agree more – explaining why several news outlets sponsor paid internships for minority students. Forums of free speech have not only an incentive, but an obligation to ensure that members are of various racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, reflecting the population they represent. That is why the Clarion offers as many opportunities as possible to its writers – including the opportunity for pay when a high level of work is performed and the funds are available.

USG is discussing a resolution tonight at 6 p.m. in Anderson Academic Commons that threatens this system, if passed without amendments. The resolution bans the use of student activity fees to fund student payroll – which I support. That is why the Clarion raises its own supplemental revenue to support incentives.  However, a distinction between these two revenue sources is not recognized in the resolution.

For the Clarion, truly meager payroll supports inclusivity and prevents reporters from crossing ethical boundaries for the allure of incentives from sources. Other orgs may have different incentives to raise money, from charity to bar parties.

Student orgs should have autonomy to raise money for causes that are within the purview of the greater DU mission. I plan to support amendments to Resolution 9 that foster discussion of when “Pioneer spirit” might support payment of student org members via fundraising efforts.